Elements and Features of Expository Texts

• identify what is an "exposition" and its types

• identify the language features of expositions

• understand the requirements of exposition writing

• work out and write an exposition

• Make a stand about an issue

• Support your point of view (POV) with evidence

• Conclude by stating the benefits of your approach

Longmans, 2008: p.41

• debates

• expository essays

• editorials

• speeches (situational writing)

• spoken arguments

• legal defenses (in court)

• reviews of books, movies, online games, blogs, etc.

• Uses simple present tense

• Gives a more "up-to-date" feel to your writing

• e.g. "...some people disagree with..."

• "...The latest statistics prove that...."

• "...The present situation is not satisfactory."

• Uses words that express attitude

• Gives a more convincing/sincere tone

• e.g. "...the people must be given the benefit of....."

• "...These things rarely occur more than once ..."

• Uses verbs of belief

• e.g. "I can convince you that..."

• "I can prove to you that..."

• Uses connectors to do with reason and choice

• e.g. "You will fail unless you follow my suggestion..."

• "Because of our failure to deal with these issues, this state of affairs has become worse..."

• Uses emotive words and phrases

• e.g. "We all love our country and we are all proud of our achievements..."

• "...It is distressing to see her suffer at this time..."

• Uses adverbs that show time sequence and link the arguments such as first, next, previously and finally

• e.g. "We must resolve our difficulties before they become worse. First we need to...Then we must...After this we have to..."

• Uses rhetorical questions

  e.g. "Can our country afford this?..."

• "...Do you really want this to happen?...

Are you for or against?

List 4 or 5 points to argue your POV

Brainstorm- no particular order

Arrange them in a coherent sequence that brings out your stand

Collect all the evidence you will need for each point

Quote statistics

Give examples

Quote statements from authorities

Include a moral statement

Tell a "real life" story that illustrates your point